Systems and Methods to Monitor an Exercise Routine

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method to monitor an exercise routine is described. An activity of a user relating to the use of an exercise apparatus is captured. Data relating to the captured activity is received. The received data is output to the user of the exercise apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/584,648 filed Jan. 9, 2012.

BACKGROUND

Physical exercise is a bodily activity that helps promote and/ormaintain physical fitness and an overall health and wellness. Frequentand regular physical exercise helps boost the immune system and may helpprevent diseases of affluence, such as heart disease, cardiovasculardisease, diabetes, and obesity. Physical exercise may also improve themental health of an individual. In addition, exercise may preventdepression and promote or maintain a positive self-esteem.

Individuals that exercise may look for ways increase their motivationand resolve to continue exercising. For example, individuals may setpersonal goals they would like to achieve and then regularly exercise toaccomplish these goals. Often times, the individual may be left onhis/her own to figure out how to accomplish a particular goal. Inaddition, the individual may hire a personal trainer or other healthcoach to receive instructions on how to complete a particular goal.

Providers of exercise equipment are regularly introducing new exercisemachines and equipment to be sold to gyms, individual consumers,schools, and the like. In some instances, an individual might not befamiliar with a particular piece of exercise equipment. In addition, theconsumer may be unaware that he/she is using the machine improperly. Forexample, the individual might not know how to use the equipment, thebenefits of using the equipment, etc. As a result, the individual maychoose to not use the equipment simply because he/she does not fullyunderstand its functionality, benefits, etc. Further, a consumer maydesire to hire a personal trainer, but the consumer may not beinterested in exercising at the same location where the trainer islocated. As a result, the consumer may opt to not seek the professionalguidance of a personal trainer.

One type of method and system to control an exercise apparatus isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,852 issued to Scott R. Watterson et al.and assigned to Icon IP, Inc. In this patent, a portable systemretrieves exercise programs from a remote communication system thatprovides motivational content for a user exercising upon an exercisemachine. The exercise program includes at least one control signal thatcontrols one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism. Theportable system includes a control device that retrieves the exerciseprogram and delivers the motivational content to the user by way of anaudio delivery device, while delivering the control signals to theexercise machine. A sensor tracks one or more measurable parameters ofthe user during the user's performance of the exercise program. Datarepresenting the one or more measureable parameters is delivered to thecontrol device for delivery to the remote communication system.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a computer-implemented method tomonitor an exercise routine is described.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include capturing an activityof a user relating to the use of an exercise apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include receiving data relatingto the captured activity.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include outputting the receiveddata to the user of the exercise apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include transmitting datarepresenting the captured activity to a remote computing device.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include receiving at least onecommand to modify at least one setting of the exercise apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include modifying the at leastone setting of the exercise apparatus based on the received at least onecommand.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the at least onecommand to modify the at least one setting including a command to modifya speed setting of the exercise apparatus, a command to modify aresistance setting of the exercise apparatus, or a command to modify anincline setting of the exercise apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include recording the activityof the user via a video camera integrated within the exercise apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include establishing a videoconnection between the exercise apparatus and a remote computing device.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include outputting video datareceived from the remote computing device.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include establishing a videoconnection between the exercise apparatus and one or more additionalexercise apparatuses.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include transmitting thecaptured activity of the user of the exercise apparatus to the one ormore additional exercise apparatuses via the established videoconnection.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include receiving video datarelating to the activity of one or more additional users using the oneor more additional exercise apparatuses.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include outputting the receivedvideo data.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include capturing the activityby a video camera, a web camera, a digital cameral, a microphone, or asensor.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include outputting instructionsto the user to manually modify one or more settings of the exerciseapparatus.

In one aspect of the disclosure, an exercise apparatus is alsodescribed. The exercise apparatus may include a processor and memory inelectronic communication with the processor. The exercise apparatus mayfurther include a data capture apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the data captureapparatus capturing an activity of a user relating to the use of anexercise apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the exercise apparatusincluding a command receiving module stored in the memory.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the command receivingmodule receiving data relating to the captured activity.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the exercise apparatusincluding a data output apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the data outputapparatus outputting the received data to the user of the exerciseapparatus.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a computer-program product is alsodescribed. The computer-program product may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having instructions thereon.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the instructionsincluding code programmed to capture an activity of a user relating tothe use of an exercise apparatus.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the instructionsincluding code programmed to receive data relating to the capturedactivity.

Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination of theabove-mentioned features and may further include the instructionsincluding code programmed to output the received data to the user of theexercise apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the presentmethod and system and are a part of the specification. The illustratedembodiments are merely examples of the present system and method and donot limit the scope thereof

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an environmentin which the present systems and methods may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a further embodiment of anenvironment in which the present systems and methods may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a further embodiment of anenvironment in which the present systems and methods may be implemented.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an environmentin which the present systems and methods may be implemented.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method toprovide exercise training

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method tomodify one or more settings of an exercise apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method toautomatically modify settings of an exercise apparatus based on theactivity of the user of the exercise apparatus.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of a computer system suitable forimplementing the present systems and methods.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods to monitor workout routines are disclosed herein.Specifically, the present systems and methods capture the activity of auser while the user is operating an exercise apparatus. The captureddata may be displayed on the exercise apparatus itself and/or a remotedevice or additional exercise apparatuses. Other users may view thecaptured data, monitor the activity of the user using the exerciseapparatus, and provide feedback regarding the user's technique, form,style, etc.

In one embodiment, a camera may record the activity of a user operatingan exercise machine. The recorded activity may be displayed on a remotecomputing device. A camera may be located at the remote device and mayrecord the activity of a user of the computing device. The recordedactivity of the user of the computing device may be displayed to theuser using the exercise machine. As a result, a real-time videoconnection may be established between the user of the exercise machineand the user of the remote computing device. The user of the remotecomputing device may issue commands via the remote computing device thatmay change one or more settings of the exercise machine. A videoconnection may also be established between the user of the exercisemachine and another user of another exercise machine. Additionally,verbal instructions may be provided to the user operating the exercisedevice based at least in part on the monitored information. Detailsregarding the present systems and methods will be described below.

Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of oneembodiment of an environment 100 in which the present systems andmethods may be implemented. In one configuration, an exercise apparatus102 may communicate with a computing device 110 across a network 108connection. The network 108 connection may include, but is not limitedto, a WI-FI, a cellular network, a local area network (LAN), a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN), and the like.

In one embodiment, the exercise apparatus 102 may be, but is not limitedto, a treadmill machine, a stair-climber machine, a stationary bicycle,a spinner bicycle, an elliptical exercise machine, a weightliftingmachine, and the like. The apparatus 102 may include a data captureapparatus 104-a-1 and a data output apparatus 106-a-1. In one example,the data capture apparatus 104-a-1 may be a video camera, a web camera,a sensor, a microphone, a digital or non-digital camera, and the like.The data capture apparatus 104-a-1 may monitor and capture data relatingto an activity of a user using the exercise apparatus 102. While onlyone data capture apparatus 104-a-1 is illustrates, the exerciseapparatus 102 may include more than one apparatus to capture data. Thedata output apparatus 106-a-1 may output data to the user of theexercise apparatus 102. For example, the data output apparatus 106-a-1may be audio speakers, and/or a display. The display may provide videodata, text data, image data, etc. to the user of the exercise apparatus102. The data capture apparatus 104-a-1 and the data output apparatus106-a-1 may be integrated within the exercise apparatus 102.

Alternatively, portions of the function provided by the data captureapparatus 104-a-1 and/or the data output apparatus 106-a-1 may beprovided by coupling a user's portable electronic device to the exerciseapparatus 102. The personal electronic device may include, but is in noway limited to, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), atablet computing device, an iPad, an iPod, a smart phone, and the like.In one embodiment, the computing device 110 may be a personal computer(PC), a laptop, a tablet, or any other type of computing device. Thedevice 110 may also include a data capture apparatus 104-a-2 and a dataoutput apparatus 106-a-2.

In one example, the data capture apparatus 104-a-1 may be a video camerapositioned to record the activity of a user using the exercise apparatus102. Video data of the user's activity may be communicated to thecomputing device 110 across the network 108. The data output apparatus106-a-2 located on the computing device 110 may output the video data toa user of the computing device 110. The user of the computing device 110may be a personal trainer or other type of health coach. In oneconfiguration, the user of the computing device 110 may view in realtime (or delayed time) the activity of the user using the exerciseapparatus 102 via the data output apparatus 106-a-2.

The data capture apparatus 104-a-2 located at the computing device 110may capture the activity of the user using the computing device. As anexample, the data capture apparatus 104-a-2 at the computing device 110may also be a video camera. The captured data may be transmitted to theexercise apparatus 102 across the network 108. The data may be providedto the user of the exercise apparatus 102 via the data output apparatus106-a-1. For example, the data output apparatus 106-a-1 may be a screenthat displays the video data of the user of the computing device 110 tothe user of the exercise apparatus 102. As a result, the user of thecomputing device 110 may record a video message that includesinstructions and/or demonstrations for the user of the exerciseapparatus 102 on ways the user may improve his/her exercising technique.The user of the exercise apparatus 102 may view such messages whilehe/she is using the exercise apparatus 102 and make the appropriatechanges to his/her technique. The video message may also includeinstructions to modify one or more settings of the exercise apparatus102.

In one embodiment, the communication between the exercise apparatus 102and the computing device 110 may be achieved through a video connection.The connection may be facilitated by a video connection provider such asSkype® or Facetime®. Other video connection providers may also be usedto establish a video connection between the exercise apparatus 102 andthe computing device 110. Additional types of connections may also beestablished between the exercise apparatus 102 and the computing device110. For example, audio connections may be established. An audioconnection may allow the users to communicate with each other viamicrophones and audio speakers. The user of the exercise apparatus 102may describe audibly how he/she is using the exercise apparatus 102, howhe/she is feeling, the biometric measurements of the user while he/sheis exercising, etc. A personal trainer located at a remote location mayreceive the audio information via the data output apparatus 106-a-2 atthe computing device 110. The trainer may provide audio instructions tothe user and the user of the exercise apparatus 102 may receive theinstructions via the data output apparatus 106-a-1 at the exerciseapparatus 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a further embodiment of anenvironment 200 in which the present systems and methods may beimplemented. In one configuration, an exercise apparatus 102-a maycommunicate with a computing device 110-a across a network 108connection. The exercise apparatus 102-a may be an example of theexercise apparatus 102 illustrated in FIG. 1. The computing device 110-amay be an example of the computing device 110 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In one example, the exercise apparatus 102-a may include a data captureapparatus 104-b-1, a data output apparatus 106-b-1, and a commandreceiving module 202. Similarly, the computing device 110-a may includea data capture apparatus 104-b-2, a data output apparatus 106-b-2, and acommand input module 204. The data capture apparatuses 104 and the dataoutput apparatuses 106 may be examples of the apparatuses illustrates inFIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the command input module 204 may be an interface thatallows the user of the computing device 110-a to enter one or morecommands relating to the exercise apparatus 102-a. For example, thecommand input module 204 may allow the user to input commands to modifyone or more settings of the exercise apparatus 102-a. The commandsprovided to the command input module 204 may be transmitted across thenetwork 108 to the command receiving module 202. Upon receiving thecommands, the command receiving module 202 may modify the one or moresettings of the exercise apparatus 102-a. As an example, the exerciseapparatus 102-a may be a treadmill. The data capture apparatus 104-b-1may capture the activity of a user operating the treadmill. For example,the data capture apparatus 104-b-1 may be a camera that captures videodata of the activity. The video data may be transmitted to the computingdevice 110-a. The user of the computing device 110-a may be a personaltrainer or other type of health coach. The personal trainer may view thevideo data via the data output apparatus 106-b-2 and identify that theuser is running/walking on the treadmill with an overpronation orunderpronation foot position, for example. The data capture module104-b-2 associated with the computing device 110-a may capture videodata of the personal trainer. The video data may include instructions tothe user of the exercise apparatus 102 to correct the pronation. Thevideo data may be transmitted to the exercise apparatus 102. The usermay then view the video data via the data output apparatus 106-b-1. Thepersonal trainer may also input commands to the command input module 204to modify the incline setting of the treadmill. The commands may betransmitted to the exercise apparatus 102 and received by the commandreceiving module 202. The command receiving module 202 may analyze thecommands and automatically adjust the incline of the treadmill based onthe received commands. In another embodiment, the command receivingmodule 202 may output the commands to the user of the exercise apparatus102 via the data output apparatus 106-b-1. The user may then manuallyadjust the incline of the treadmill as indicted by the outputtedcommands.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a further embodiment of anenvironment 300 in which the present systems and methods may beimplemented. In one configuration, an exercise apparatus 102-c maycommunicate with a computing device 110-c across a network 108connection. The exercise apparatus 102-c may be an example of theexercise apparatus of FIG. 1 or 2. In addition, the computing device110-c may be an example of the computing device 110 illustrated in FIG.1 or 2.

The exercise apparatus 102-c may include a data capture apparatus 104-cand a data output apparatus 106-c. As previously explained, the datacapture apparatus 104-c may be a camera, or other input device, thatcaptures the activity of a user while the user is using the exerciseapparatus 102-c. The data output apparatus 106-c may output informationto the user.

As previously explained, the data captured by the data capture apparatus104-c may be transmitted to the computing device 110-c across thenetwork 108. The computing device 110-c may include an analysis module302 that may analyze the data received from the exercise apparatus102-c. Based on the analysis, a command generation module 304 mayautomatically generate a command to modify one or more settings of theexercise apparatus 102-c. For example, the data capture apparatus 104-cmay be one or more sensors placed on the exercise apparatus 102-c. Inone configuration, the apparatus 102-c may be a treadmill. The sensorsmay be placed on or under the moving tread or belt of the treadmill. Inone example, the sensors may sense the position and running/walkingtechnique of the user's feet while the user is running/walking on thetreadmill. The data captured by the sensors may be transmitted to theanalysis module 302. The module 302 may analyze the data to identify thepattern of the user's feet as they strike the surface of the movingtread of the treadmill. The analysis may conclude that the position ofthe user's feet is incorrect when the feet contact with the surface ofthe treadmill. The analysis module 302 may identify one or more settingsthat may be modified on the exercise apparatus 102-c to help correct theuser's technique.

The command generation module 304 may generate a command indicatingwhich settings to modify on the exercise apparatus 102-c based on theanalysis of the analysis module 302. These commands may be transmittedacross the network 108 and received by a command receiving module 202-aat the exercise apparatus 102-c. Upon receiving the commands, thereceiving module 202-a may automatically modify the one or more settingsof the exercise apparatus 102-c. In another embodiment, the commandreceiving module 202-a may cause the commands to be outputted to theuser via the data output apparatus 106-c. The user may then determinewhether to manually modify the settings of the exercise apparatus. Inaddition, the user may determine whether to allow the command receivingmodule 202-a to automatically modify the settings.

Upon modifying the settings of the exercise apparatus 102-c, the datacapture apparatus 104-c may continue to capture the activity of the useron the exercise apparatus 102-c. The data may be transmitted andanalyzed by the analysis module 302. The module 302 may determinewhether the user's technique is still incorrect. If the modifiedsettings of the exercise apparatus 102-c do not improve or solve theuser's exercise technique, the command generation module 304 maycontinue to generate commands to modify settings of the exerciseapparatus 102-c until the user's technique is improved.

In one embodiment, the analysis module 302 and the command generationmodule 304 may be located on the exercise apparatus 102-c. As a result,data acquired by the data capture apparatus 104-c may not be transmittedacross the network 108. Instead, the analysis module 302 located on theexercise apparatus 102-c may analyze the data captured by the datacapture apparatus 104-c and the command generation module 304 maygenerate a command to modify one or more settings of the exerciseapparatus 102-c based on the analysis performed by the analysis module302. The data output apparatus 106-c may output information to the userof the exercise apparatus 102-c indicating the settings that arescheduled to be modified by the command receiving module 202-a. The dataoutput apparatus 106-c may further provide information to the userindicating the reason why the settings of the exercise apparatus 102-care being modified. As a result, the user of the exercise apparatus102-c becomes aware of the improper exercising techniques that the useris currently performing.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an environment400 in which the present systems and methods may be implemented. In oneexample, a number of exercise apparatuses may communicate with eachother across a network 108 connection. For example, a first exerciseapparatus 102-d-1 may communicate with a second exercise apparatus102-d-2 across the network 108 connection. Each apparatus may include adata capture apparatus 104-d as well as a data output apparatus 106-d.The exercise apparatuses 102-d illustrated in FIG. 4 may be examples ofthe exercise apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, 2, or 3.

In one embodiment, a first user may begin exercising using the firstexercise apparatus 102-d-1. The data capture apparatus 104-d-1 maycapture the activity of the first user. Similarly, a second user maybegin exercising using the second exercise apparatus 102-d-2. The datacapture apparatus 104-d-2 on the second exercise apparatus 102-d-2 maycapture activity of the second user. The data output apparatus 106-d oneach exercise apparatus may output to each user the captured data of theother user. As an example, the data capture apparatus 104-d may be acamera, and a video connection may be established between the twoexercise apparatuses (such as a Skype® connection). The data outputapparatus 106-d may be a monitor or display that outputs the data toeach user. As a result, two different users on two different exerciseapparatuses may engage in video communications while exercising. The twodifferent users may be located at locations that are remote to eachother. The connection may allow the users to exercise together, eventhough they may not be located near one another.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 500 toprovide exercise training In one configuration, the method 500 may beimplemented by the data capture apparatus 104 and the data outputapparatus of FIG. 1, 2, 3, or 4.

At block 502, an activity of a user of an exercise apparatus may becaptured. For example, a user may begin running and/or walking on atreadmill. The treadmill may include one or more cameras affixed to ornear the treadmill. The cameras may record the actions of the user whilethe user is using the treadmill. At block 504, data relating to thecaptured activity may be received. For example, a personal trainer mayremotely view the captured data of the user running and/or walking onthe treadmill. The trainer may generate instructions for the user toimprove the user's exercise technique. The trainer may input theinstructions via a computing device that is remotely located from theexercise apparatus. These instructions may be audio instructions, videoinstructions, text, images, etc. The instructions may be the datareceived at block 504. At block 506, the received data may be output viaan output apparatus of the exercise apparatus. For example, if thereceived instructions are audio instructions, speakers connected to theexercise apparatus may output the instructions to the user. If thereceived instructions are video instructions, a monitor or displayconnected to the exercise apparatus may output the video data to theuser of the exercise apparatus. As a result, while the user isexercising, a trainer may remotely view the activity of the user andprovide instructions for the user to improve the user's exerciseroutine. The trainer may, according to one embodiment, view the activityof the user in real-time in order to provide real-time instructions toimprove the user's exercise techniques.

Thus, the method 500 may provide real-time training instructions for auser of an exercise apparatus. It should be noted that the method 500 isjust one implementation and that the operations of the method 500 may berearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations arepossible.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 600 tomodify one or more settings of an exercise apparatus. In oneconfiguration, the method 600 may be implemented by the device captureapparatus 104 and the device output apparatus 106 of FIG. 1, 2, 3, or 4as well as the command receiving module 202 of FIG. 2 or 3.

At block 602, an activity of a user of an exercise apparatus may becaptured, as described above. At block 604, a command to modify asetting of the exercise apparatus may be received. In anotherembodiment, the captured data of the user using the exercise apparatusmay not be transmitted to a remote computing device. The captured datamay be analyzed by the analysis module 302 of FIG. 3. The analysis mayautomatically identify ways the user could improve his/her exercisetechnique. Based on the analysis, a command may be generated to modifyone or more settings of the exercise apparatus. The generated commandsmay be communicated from the analysis module 304 and received by thecommand receiving module 202 at block 604.

In one embodiment, at block 606, the one or more settings of theexercise apparatus may be modified based on the received command. Forexample, the speed of the exercise apparatus may be increased ordecreased, the resistance of the exercise apparatus may be increased ordecreased, the incline of the apparatus may be increased or decreased,and the like. The settings may be modified automatically by the exerciseapparatus. In another embodiment, the commands may be outputted to theuser of the exercise apparatus. The user may then manually change thesettings of the exercise apparatus based on the received command.

Thus, the method 600 may provide a command to modify various settings ofan exercise apparatus based on captured activities of the user of theexercise apparatus. It should be noted that the method 600 is just oneimplementation and that the operations of the method 600 may berearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations arepossible.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method toautomatically modify settings of an exercise apparatus based on theactivity of the user of the exercise apparatus. In one configuration,the method 700 may be implemented by the data capture apparatus 104, thedata output apparatus 106, the analyzing module 302, the commandgeneration module 304, and the command receiving module 202, of FIG. 1,2, 3, or 4.

At block 702, an activity of a user of an exercise apparatus may becaptured. At block 704, data representing the captured activity may beanalyzed. The captured data may be analyzed to identify one or moreareas of improvement relating to the user's exercise technique on theexercise apparatus. For example, the captured data of the user mayindicate that a user is running or walking on the exercise apparatuswith a pronated foot position. At block 706, a command may be generatedto modify a setting of the exercise apparatus based on the analysis ofthe captured data. For example, a command may be generated to increasethe incline of the exercise apparatus, which may improve the pronatedfoot position of the user. At block 708, the setting of the exerciseapparatus may be modified automatically based on the generated command.As a result, the incline of the apparatus may be automatically increasedand the activity of the user may continue to be captured and monitoredto determine if the increased incline improves the foot position of theuser.

Thus, the method 700 may provide for automatically modifying a settingof an exercise apparatus based on analysis of data representing theactivity of a user. It should be noted that the method 700 is just oneimplementation and that the operations of the method 700 may berearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations arepossible.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of a computer system 810 suitable forimplementing the present systems and methods. The computer system 810may be an example of the exercise apparatus 102 and/or the computingdevice 110 of FIG. 1, 2, 3, or 4. Computer system 810 includes a bus 812which interconnects major subsystems of computer system 810, such as acentral processor 814, a system memory 817 (typically RAM, but which mayalso include ROM, flash RAM, or the like), an input/output controller818, an external audio device, such as a speaker system 820 via an audiooutput interface 822, an external device, such as a display screen 824via display adapter 826, serial ports 828 and 830, a keyboard 832(interfaced with a keyboard controller 833), multiple USB devices 892(interfaced with a USB controller 891), a storage interface 834, afloppy disk unit 837 operative to receive a floppy disk 838, a host busadapter (HBA) interface card 835A operative to connect with a FibreChannel network 890, a host bus adapter (HBA) interface card 835Boperative to connect to a SCSI bus 839, and an optical disk drive 840operative to receive an optical disk 842. Also included are a mouse 846(or other point-and-click device, coupled to bus 812 via serial port828), a modem 847 (coupled to bus 812 via serial port 830), and anetwork interface 848 (coupled directly to bus 812).

Bus 812 allows data communication between central processor 814 andsystem memory 817, which may include read-only memory (ROM) or flashmemory (neither shown), and random access memory (RAM) (not shown), aspreviously noted. The RAM is generally the main memory into which theoperating system and application programs are loaded. The ROM or flashmemory can contain, among other code, the Basic Input-Output system(BIOS) which controls basic hardware operation such as the interactionwith peripheral components or devices. Applications resident withcomputer system 810 are generally stored on and accessed via anon-transitory computer readable medium, such as a hard disk drive(e.g., fixed disk 844), an optical drive (e.g., optical drive 840), afloppy disk unit 837, or other storage medium. Additionally,applications can be in the form of electronic signals modulated inaccordance with the application and data communication technology whenaccessed via network modem 847 or interface 848.

Storage interface 834, as with the other storage interfaces of computersystem 810, can connect to a standard computer readable medium forstorage and/or retrieval of information, such as a fixed disk drive 844.Fixed disk drive 844 may be a part of computer system 810 or may beseparate and accessed through other interface systems. Modem 847 mayprovide a direct connection to a remote server via a telephone link orto the Internet via an internet service provider (ISP). Networkinterface 848 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via adirect network link to the Internet via a POP (point of presence).Network interface 848 may provide such connection using wirelesstechniques, including digital cellular telephone connection, CellularDigital Packet Data (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connectionor the like.

Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be connected in asimilar manner (e.g., scanners, digital cameras and so on). Conversely,all of the devices shown in FIG. 8 need not be present to practice thepresent systems and methods. The devices and subsystems can beinterconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 8. Theoperation of a computer system such as that shown in FIG. 8 is readilyknown in the art and is not discussed in detail in this application.Code to implement the present disclosure can be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as one or more of systemmemory 817, fixed disk 844, optical disk 842, or floppy disk 838. Theoperating system provided on computer system 810 may be MS-DOS®,MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, Linux®, or another known operating system.

Moreover, regarding the signals described herein, those skilled in theart will recognize that a signal can be directly transmitted from afirst block to a second block, or a signal can be modified (e.g.,amplified, attenuated, delayed, latched, buffered, inverted, filtered,or otherwise modified) between the blocks. Although the signals of theabove described embodiment are characterized as transmitted from oneblock to the next, other embodiments of the present systems and methodsmay include modified signals in place of such directly transmittedsignals as long as the informational and/or functional aspect of thesignal is transmitted between blocks. To some extent, a signal input ata second block can be conceptualized as a second signal derived from afirst signal output from a first block due to physical limitations ofthe circuitry involved (e.g., there will inevitably be some attenuationand delay). Therefore, as used herein, a second signal derived from afirst signal includes the first signal or any modifications to the firstsignal, whether due to circuit limitations or due to passage throughother circuit elements which do not change the informational and/orfinal functional aspect of the first signal.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In order to assist a person that is exercising, as well as motivate theperson to continue to exercise, and to enjoy the workout, the presentsystem records certain aspects of the person while he/she is exercising.This may be accomplished by attaching a camera to an exercise machine,placing sensors on the exercise machine, or by positioning any othertype of input device on or near an exercise apparatus and/or on theuser. In general, the present systems and methods capture the personwhile he/she is exercising, provide the captured data to a personaltrainer or an automated system, receive instructions from the personaltrainer, provide the instructions to the person while they areexercising, and alter a setting of the exercise machine.

When the person begins exercising, a communication link may beestablished between the exercise machine and a computer used by thepersonal trainer. As the person exercises, a video camera or othersensor may capture the person's movements. These images may be relayedto the computer used by the personal trainer. The trainer may watch theperson as they exercise in real-time. In addition, the person exercisingmay view a monitor on the exercise machine and view images of thepersonal trainer and/or view images of themselves exercising. As aresult, a live video chat session may be established between the personexercising and the personal trainer.

During the session, the trainer may provide tips, feedback, advice,encouragement, etc. to the person while he/she exercises. The trainermay use the real-time footage of the person to identify areas ofimprovement relating to the exercising technique being performed by theuser of the exercise apparatus that the person could implement whilehe/she exercises. For example, the trainer may identify that that theposture of the person is incorrect and that if the person continuesexercising with that posture, their results will not be ideal. Thetrainer may speak, provide written instructions, provide an image, etc.to inform the person to change his/her posture. The person, whileexercising, may view a monitor with a live video and/or audio feed ofthe personal trainer. The person may receive these instructions via thevideo connection and modify his/her posture.

In addition to providing instructions, the personal trainer may alsoinput one or more commands on the remote computer. These commands may betransmitted to the exercise machine and various settings of the machinemay be altered based on the commands. For example, from the live videofeed and sensors attached to a treadmill, the personal trainer mayidentify that the person's heart rate is too high while the person isrunning on the treadmill. The trainer may input a command to reduce thespeed of the treadmill. The command may be received by the exercisemachine, and the speed may be automatically reduced. Alternatively, theperson may receive instructions from the personal trainer to reduce thespeed and the person may manually lower the speed of the machine.

For example, the video message from the trainer to the user may includeinstructions to modify the speed, modify the resistance, modify theincline, etc. of the exercise apparatus. In one embodiment, the user ofthe exercise apparatus may manually modify the one or more settings. Inanother embodiment, the one or more settings may be automaticallymodified based on the instructions provided in the video message. As aresult, a personal trainer may remotely monitor the exercise activity ofa customer and provide real-time instructions to the customer as well asreal-time commands to modify one or more settings of the exerciseequipment being used by the customer.

The video feed of the person exercising may be transmitted to a locationother than a remote computer. According to one embodiment, the exercisemachine may include software to analyze the video feed and identify anyerrors with the person's exercise routine. If errors are discovered, thesoftware may automatically generate instructions to the user to correctthe error. In addition, the software may generate commands to modifyvarious settings of the exercise machine in order to help the personcorrect his/her exercise technique.

In conclusion, the present systems and methods provide for a mechanismby which a person is provided real-time advice, feedback, tips, etc.while he/she is exercising. The motivation for the person to continueexercising may also increase because the person is aware that a personaltrainer is able to monitor their exercising technique in real-time.Individuals that are not as familiar with certain exercise machines maybe motivated to use these machine since a trainer is able to remotelycontrol the settings of the machine to help the person maximize thebenefits of their exercise session with the machine.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:capturing, by a hardware processor, an activity of a user relating tothe use of an exercise apparatus; receiving, by the hardware processor,data relating to the captured activity; and outputting, by the hardwareprocessor, the received data to the user of the exercise apparatus. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting data representingthe captured activity to a remote computing device.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein receiving data relating to the captured activityfurther comprises: receiving at least one command to modify at least onesetting of the exercise apparatus; and modifying the at least onesetting of the exercise apparatus based on the received at least onecommand.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one command tomodify the at least one setting comprises a command to modify a speedsetting of the exercise apparatus, a command to modify a resistancesetting of the exercise apparatus, or a command to modify an inclinesetting of the exercise apparatus.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereincapturing the activity of the user relating to the user of the exerciseapparatus comprises recording the activity of the user via a videocamera integrated within the exercise apparatus.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising: establishing a video connection between theexercise apparatus and a remote computing device; and outputting videodata received from the remote computing device.
 7. The method of claim1, further comprising: establishing a video connection between theexercise apparatus and one or more additional exercise apparatuses;transmitting the captured activity of the user of the exercise apparatusto the one or more additional exercise apparatuses via the establishedvideo connection; receiving video data relating to the activity of oneor more additional users using the one or more additional exerciseapparatuses; and outputting the received video data.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the activity is captured by a video camera, a webcamera, a digital cameral, a microphone, or a sensor.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein outputting the received data further comprisesoutputting instructions to the user to manually modify one or moresettings of the exercise apparatus.
 10. An exercise apparatus,comprising: a processor; memory in electronic communication with theprocessor; a data capture apparatus, the data capture apparatusconfigured to capture an activity of a user relating to the use of anexercise apparatus; a command receiving module, stored in the memory,the command receiving module configured to receive data relating to thecaptured activity; and a data output apparatus, the data outputapparatus configured to output the received data to the user of theexercise apparatus.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein thedata capture apparatus is further configured to transmit datarepresenting the captured activity to a remote computing device.
 12. Theexercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the command receiving module isfurther configured to: receive at least one command to modify at leastone setting of the exercise apparatus; and modify the at least onesetting of the exercise apparatus based on the received at least onecommand.
 13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at leastone command to modify the at least one setting comprises a command tomodify a speed setting of the exercise apparatus, a command to modify aresistance setting of the exercise apparatus, or a command to modify anincline setting of the exercise apparatus.
 14. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the data capture apparatus comprises a video cameraintegrated within the exercise apparatus, the data capture apparatusbeing further configured to record the activity of the user via thevideo camera integrated within the exercise apparatus.
 15. The exerciseapparatus of claim 10, wherein the data capture apparatus is furtherconfigured to establish a video connection between the exerciseapparatus and a remote computing device.
 16. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the data output apparatus if further configured tooutput video data received from the remote computing device.
 17. Theexercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the data capture apparatus isfurther configured to: establish a video connection between the exerciseapparatus and one or more additional exercise apparatuses; and transmitthe captured activity of the user of the exercise apparatus to the oneor more additional exercise apparatuses via the established videoconnection.
 18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein the commandreceiving module is further configured to receive video data relating tothe activity of one or more additional users using the one or moreadditional exercise apparatuses.
 19. The exercise apparatus of claim 10,wherein the data capture apparatus comprises a video camera, a webcamera, a digital cameral, a microphone, or a sensor.
 20. Acomputer-program product, the computer-program product comprising anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructionsthereon, the instructions comprising: code programmed to capture anactivity of a user relating to the use of an exercise apparatus; codeprogrammed to receive data relating to the captured activity; and codeprogrammed to output the received data to the user of the exerciseapparatus.